Welcome Park

A logical starting point for our tour is Welcome Park, an homage to the city's founder, William Penn. Located on the site of the Slate Roof House, Penn's rented home in Philadelphia, the park was named for the Welcome, the ship which brought Penn to America. A timeline on a wall at the site enumerates Penn's accomplishments interspersed with the historic events that were happening during Penn's lifetime. In 1682, Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme laid out the city of Philadelphia. Their map is depicted in marble on the ground as part of the park's design. In the middle of the park is a miniature version of the statue of William Penn which crowns City Hall.